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Check your DME is tightly sealed...more (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 3-series (E36) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by Joe C. on July 09, 2000 at 14:45:55:

In Reply to: I take mine to the CARWASH should I hang myself? posted by Eeviac on July 09, 2000 at 01:46:36:

I have read a lot of postings about DME getting wet and shorting out after a car wash. Those cars affected are the earlier E36's. I even had a co-worker who had taken his 93 325i to car wash and after the car had come out, it wouldn't start. The car wash manager pointed to a notice not prominently displayed about how they weren't responsible for water damage to BMW's computer system. I guess the high pressure forced the water into the DME's housing. (I wonder why the car wash clowns still took the BMW knowing fully well some BMW's may be affected?)

My friend had the car towed to a dealer and after looking it over, it was discovered that the electronics in the DME was not even recognizable with all the brown crud, rust, and corrison that had built up over time from getting wet. This was a DME ready to die.

Before the car was towed to the dealer, many attempts were made to start the car resulting in unburned fuel to acculmulate in the cylinders and then leak into the oil pan. The engine compartment just reeked of gasoline. The dealer quoted big money to fix this mess. My friend lucked out because his insurance company picked up the tab. Friend only had to pay the deductable. So, check you DME before you take it through that water tunnel.

: Hey, I'll admit it, I live in an apartment, and they don't let ppl wash their cars here! So, I just go to Shammy-Man, have 'em wash it, I'm finding that doing a careful cleaning of the wheels with Simple Green and then some Pledge keeps the brake dust at bay fairly well, I figure I'll just put together a cleaning routine that I can live with. I don't get to do these 6-hour cleaning routines you guys get to, I guess I'll be a loser until I have a house but at least I have *some* taste in cars hehe. This is sort of in answer to the "washing poll" way down there.



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